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Security Compliance Specialist

Forward Air

Rosemont, ILJob$70–80K/yrPosted 2mo agoSeen in employer's feed 3 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$70–80K/yr
Location
Rosemont, IL
Work Authorization
Not specified

Job overview

Forward Air is hiring a Security Compliance Specialist. The Security Compliance Specialist administers, interprets, and enforces security and regulatory compliance initiatives across the enterprise operational network, serving as the subject‑matter expert for CTPAT compliance while supporting TSA, TAPA, and customer security objectives to protect the organization from regulatory, operational, and reputational risk.

Key focus areas include Serve as the enterprise owner and centralized authority for CTPAT compliance strategy, execution, and oversight, Assess operational practices for compliance risks, conduct gap analyses, and determine corrective action plans, and Lead and support internal audits and regulatory reviews, providing expert interpretation of findings.

Successful candidates bring High School Diploma Or GED Equivalent, 3+ Years Progressive Experience In CTPAT, TSA Compliance, Air Cargo Operations, Freight Forwarding, LTL, Or Logistics Within Regulated Environments, and Comfort Commuting To/From And Working In A 100% On-Site Setting. Important skills include CTPAT Compliance, TSA Compliance, TAPA, Regulatory Interpretation, Audit Support, and Analytical Skills. Preferred (not required): Bilingual English And Spanish, English, and Spanish.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

CTPAT ComplianceTSA ComplianceTAPARegulatory InterpretationAudit SupportAnalytical SkillsOrganizational SkillsDocumentation ManagementAudit-Focused MindsetEffective CommunicationAdvising StakeholdersInfluencing StakeholdersDiscretionConfidentialityWindows PCsMicrosoft O365OutlookMicrosoft WordExcelPowerPointWeb ConferencingMicrosoft TeamsZoomWebexBilingual English and SpanishRegulatory ComplianceGap AnalysesCorrective Action PlansInternal AuditsRegulatory ReviewsPhysical Security ControlsCargo Handling ProceduresChain-of-Custody RequirementsCompliance Data AnalysisAudit ReadinessRegulatory Requirements InterpretationIndependent JudgmentSupporting AuditsInspectionsInteractions With Government AgenciesEnglishSpanish

Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED Equivalent3+ Years Progressive Experience in CTPAT, TSA Compliance, Air Cargo Operations, Freight Forwarding, LTL, or Logistics Within Regulated EnvironmentsUndergraduate DegreeCTPAT SCSSASISCertified Quality AuditorBilingual (English and Spanish)

Full job description

Position: Security Compliance Specialist

Compensation: $70,000 - 80,000 Annually

The Security Compliance Specialist is responsible for administering, interpreting, and enforcing security, regulatory compliance, and related initiatives across the company’s enterprise operational network. They serve as the enterprise subject matter expert for Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) compliance, and supports Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), and customer security objectives. They play a critical role in safeguarding the organization against regulatory, operational, and reputational risk through proactive oversight and audit readiness. They partner closely with Operations, Security, Legal, and Quality teams to ensure consistent, compliant execution security programs across the enterprise.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the enterprise owner and centralized authority for CTPAT compliance strategy, execution, and oversight.

  • Assess operational practices for compliance risks, conduct gap analyses, and determine appropriate corrective action plans to mitigate regulatory exposure.

  • Lead and support internal audits and regulatory reviews, providing expert interpretation of findings and required responses.

  • Validate facility ‑ level compliance with CTPAT and TSA standards, including physical security controls, cargo handling procedures, and chain ‑ of ‑ custody requirements.

  • Provide authoritative guidance to operations and leadership regarding compliant cargo handling, documentation, exceptions, and security incidents.

  • Analyze compliance data, trends, and reports to inform leadership decisions related to audit readiness, training effectiveness, and risk exposure.

  • Collaborate cross ‑ functionally with Legal, Security, Quality, and Operations to resolve complex compliance issues and implement sustainable solutions.

  • Maintain enterprise ‑ level CTPAT documentation standards and retention practices to ensure continuous audit readiness.

  • Participate in cross ‑ functional compliance, security, and regulatory initiatives, including TSA and TAPA alignment where applicable.

  • Domestic and international travel as needed to conduct site assessments, validate compliance practices, and support continuous improvement efforts.

  • All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications

  • Education: High School Diploma or GED Equivalent required; Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university preferred.

  • Experience: 3+ years’ progressive experience in CTPAT, TSA compliance, air cargo operations, freight forwarding, LTL, or logistics within regulated environments.

  • Demonstrated working knowledge of CTPAT, TSA, TAPA or similar security compliance programs; professional certifications such as CTPAT SCSS, ASIS, or Certified Quality Auditor preferred.

  • Proven ability to interpret regulatory requirements and exercise independent judgment in applying them across complex, multi ‑ site operations.

  • Experience supporting audits, inspections, and interactions with government agencies or regulatory bodies.

  • Strong analytical, organizational, and documentation management skills with an audit ‑ focused mindset.

  • Effective communicator capable of advising and influencing operational and leadership stakeholders on compliance matters.

  • Language: Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred.

  • Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.

  • Technical: Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.).

  • Environment: Comfort commuting to/from and working in a 100% on ‑ site setting (listed in this posting), with travel for related meetings/events.

#LI-Onsite #LI-KB1

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